About

For decades my inquiring and explorative mind has landed me in strife… but now that I have learnt to channel the energy into creative endeavours life runs a lot smoother :)

I have always been creative: as a young girl I would re-paint the expressions on dolls faces, make kites that looked like stained glass windows out of celophane and try build designer furniture out of building bricks. I once made a massive paper mache dragon with celophane wings and fire for a school project, sadly I discovered it stolen when the time came to collect it!

Art was my favourite subject at school, but in those days it was mainly a look at the history of art and the random project without much tutoring.

Unfortunately I did not go on to study fine art at university as it was a common belief where I grew up that it was a waste of money and one would amount to nothing more than a poor artist, so instead I went on to study Fashion Design for three years full time at the Technicon of Cape Town and then progressed on into the cut throat world of the Rag Trade where I worked as a designer for a number of years before being lured away to travel.

In 2000 I settled in Australia and after 7 gruelling years of dissatisfaction in the corporate world I have finally decided to follow my heart and pick up the tools of an artist!

Being a painter means that my pendulum swings from immense pride tp sulky frustration on a daily basis but inspite of this I know I have finally found my path and I hope that one day I will be remembered as someone who was unique, honest and kind and positive contributor to the arts in Australia.

Carmen.
Ps – sorry about being so long winded…point form just isn’t my thing though :)